World Migration Record: 304 Million Migrants in 2024, UN Names Leading Country.

The number of international migrants worldwide rose to 304 million in 2024, twice the figure of 1990. People move across borders for various reasons, including the search for employment opportunities, conflicts, and displacement. This has resulted in some countries becoming primary destinations for the foreign-born population. This is reported by Glavkom, referencing Visual Capitalist.

Who are international migrants?

An international migrant is defined as a person residing in a country different from their country of birth for at least 12 months, regardless of the reasons or status. This data is based on a report from the United Nations.

Global Leaders in Migrant Numbers

In 2024, Qatar had the highest global share of foreign citizens in its population. International migrants accounted for over three-quarters (76.7%) of its population.Several Gulf countries, such as Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, top the list in terms of the share of migrants. This is due to their significant reliance on foreign labor, where migrants make up the vast majority of workers. These countries attract millions of people to low-paid jobs largely due to the kafala system – a labor system based on sponsorship that ties foreign workers to their employers.

The USA and Ukraine in the Migration World

In terms of total numbers, the United States recorded the largest number of international migrants in 2024 – 52.4 million. Ukraine ranks 50th on this list, with migrants making up 13.4% of its population.The migration corridor from Mexico to the USA was the busiest in the world in 2024: over 10 million people born in Mexico currently live in the United States.Europe hosted more international migrants than any other region – 94 million in 2024. This was followed by North America, which includes the USA, Bermuda, Canada, Greenland, Saint Pierre and Miquelon – 61 million. These two regions have been the main destinations for immigration over the past few decades.

Ukrainian Women Abroad

It is worth noting that while men of conscription age are prohibited from leaving, Ukrainian women are leaving the country and increasingly not returning. This is reported by The Telegraph, as stated by Glavkom.At the same Time, Poland, Austria, and Lithuania are already recording a rapid increase in the number of Ukrainian women in their universities. Especially after the full-scale Russian invasion, the number of Ukrainian female students in Poland doubled within a year. However, the publication notes that this issue has not yet received the necessary attention within Ukraine itself.There is a noticeable increase in the number of international migrants worldwide, indicating complex socio-economic and political realities. Countries that are primary migration destinations face a number of challenges related to the integration of foreigners and creating favorable conditions for them. Ukraine is also actively experiencing these trends, especially with the increasing number of Ukrainian women seeking education and work abroad.